1. Introduction

Objectives: In this unit you will

1. Learn the basic concepts of teaching reading to adult learners
2. Think about learner strategies and materials that will help your student
3. Think about specific instructional activities to use with your student

Estimated time for completing this section: 3 hours

Note: This section on reading could take up to 8 hours for those who wish to delve more deeply into the course manual, Applying Research in Reading Instruction for Adults: First Steps for Teachers. The link to the manual also sits in the sidebar.

Review

In the previous module you considered the characteristics of the adult learner and how they apply to you as a tutor and to your adult student. Your student's life experiences and active interest in her own progress will aid you in customizing lessons to meet her goals. In learner-centered learning, it is important to use your student's goals and experiences to motivate her. You will also learn to help your student identify:

• what she knows,
• what she knows some of the time, and
• what she does not know at all.

Because your student has most likely experienced years of frustration in school, she can assist you in identifying her reading strengths and gaps. This self-awareness is one of the many characteristics that set an adult student apart from a child.

If you would like to review the principles of adult learning, click here or here:
https://teal.ed.gov/tealguide/adultlearning

In this unit, you will learn how to strengthen your student's reading skills as you follow the principles of learner-centered learning.

Optional: Checklist for marking progress through this course:

Click here to download a PDF checklist that will help you keep track of your progress. You may save the document in your files. It will not save in this blog.